This kind-hearted Irish barber went the extra mile when one of his regular customers refused to get his hair cut in the shop.

Sitting in a chair to have a haircut can be a painful and uncomfortable experience for people with autism because of the sensory challenges associated with the condition.

But barber Donncha O'Connell went above and beyond for longtime customer Evan O'Dwyer earlier this week, to make sure he was at ease.

The 16-year-old, a regular customer of The Baldy Barber in Blackpool, Cork, has severe autism and is non-verbal.

He has been visiting the shop with his mum Deirdre for 14 years - but, as Deirdre explained, "getting a haircut is tough", can often be a two person job - and all depends on Evan's mood.

She decided on Monday, at the last moment, that she would bring him in alone.

She said on Tuesday: "Evan for the last 14 years has gone to the same place. I just found that there was something about [Donncha].

"He's so laidback. He's so good.

At the moment it would take two of us to bring him but I finished work yesterday and I said 'we'll go and get the haircut' and he was grand going in."

Evan decided shortly after sitting in the chair that he wanted to leave - just as Donncha had gone over his hair with the razorblade.

Deirdre added: "He decided he wanted to leave. He was at the scissors and ready to do destruction."

With some help from Donncha and his brother Dylan, they brought Evan to the car - since it's one of the places he feels at ease.

Deirdre told The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s Red FM: "Calmly as we could we got him into the car and Donncha said 'look, I'll do his hair in the car' so he jumped in to the back seat, with Dylan holding Evan's hand and worked there," said Deirdre.

"He then had to jump around to the other side to get to the other side of his head. No bother to him."

Donncha told how he was happy to accommodate his customer whatever way he could - insisting it wasn't a big deal.

He added: "I've never cut anyone's hair in the back of the car.

"Look, it's not a huge deal. Obviously it's a big thing for Deirdre. You do what you have to do.

"Evan can decide where and when he wants to get his hair done but we go with it.

"We do have a few with special needs coming in. You take your time. Kids in general, I find that if you're relaxed around them then they generally don't have an issue,"